Making Instant Pot Rice-a-Roni is a cinch! Set it and forget it, then enjoy your quick side dish!

You’ll love this foolproof Instant Pot Rice-a-Roni recipe — a simple, reliable side that pairs with chicken, fish, beef, pork, or vegetables.

I’ve loved boxed rice mixes like Rice-a-Roni since I was a child. They’re easy to prepare and make a tasty accompaniment to pork chops, grilled chicken, or a quick weeknight protein. Today I most often prepare a full one-pot meal by combining chicken and Rice-a-Roni in the Instant Pot, but making just the rice as a side dish is just as fast and convenient.

Rice stretches meals and adds heft without much cost, and boxed mixes offer a variety of flavors. If you want a fast, no-fuss side, you can definitely make Instant Pot Rice-a-Roni in your pressure cooker with consistent results.

Can You Cook Rice-a-Roni in the Instant Pot?

Yes. Rice-a-Roni cooks very well in the Instant Pot. Pressure cooking eliminates the mess of boiling and prevents boil-overs, and because the cooker holds pressure, you get tender rice with minimal babysitting. It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it side that’s perfect for busy evenings.

More Instant Pot rice ideas:

• Instant Pot White Rice
• Instant Pot Brown Rice
• Instant Pot Basmati Rice
• Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
• Instant Pot Spanish Rice

Rice a Roni in the Pressure Cooker

This Instant Pot Rice-a-Roni method is straightforward: sauté the dry mix briefly to toast the grains and vermicelli, add liquid and the seasoning packet, then pressure cook. The result is flavorful rice in minutes, and leftovers reheat well in the Instant Pot if you want to preserve texture.

Pressure cooking allows flavors to meld and shortens active cooking time, making this approach ideal for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.

How to Make Failproof Instant Pot Rice a Roni

Follow these simple steps for consistent results when making Rice-a-Roni in the Instant Pot.

Rice to Water Ratio

For one standard box (6.8–6.9 oz) of Rice-a-Roni, use 1 1/2 cups of water. This amount yields rice that is tender without becoming watery. Pressure cooking requires less liquid than stovetop directions because there is minimal evaporation.

How to Cook Rice-a-Roni in the Instant Pot

(Printable recipe details follow in the instructions below.)

1. Sauté. Use the Sauté function to melt butter in the inner pot, then add the dry Rice-a-Roni mix (rice and vermicelli). Stir and toast briefly until the grains and noodles turn light golden — this step adds flavor and texture.

2. Mix. Turn off Sauté. Add 1 1/2 cups water and the seasoning packet included in the box. Stir to combine and scrape any browned bits from the bottom to avoid a burn notice.

3. Pressure cook. Close the lid, set the vent to sealed, and cook at high pressure for 5 minutes using Manual/Pressure Cook. When the time is up, perform a quick release of pressure.

After the valve drops, remove the lid carefully, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and serve hot.

Can I Make Rice-a-Roni in my Ninja Foodi?

Yes. Use the Sear/Sauté function on the Ninja Foodi to brown the rice and vermicelli in butter until golden, then follow the same pressure-cooking step described above. The process and timing are the same, and you’ll get comparable results.

Why is My Rice-a-Roni Mushy?

Mushy Rice-a-Roni usually results from overcooking or allowing extended natural pressure release. To avoid a soft, overcooked texture, use the recommended 5-minute high-pressure cook time and perform a quick release immediately when the timer finishes.

Can You Freeze Ricearoni?

You can freeze leftover Rice-a-Roni, but expect some texture changes. Because Rice-a-Roni contains both rice and thin vermicelli noodles, freezing and thawing can make the noodles softer and potentially a bit mushy. If texture is not critical, freezing leftovers is a convenient option for future meals.

Delicious Instant Pot Rice Recipes:

• Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
• Failproof Instant Pot Brown Rice
• Instant Pot Spanish Rice
• Perfectly Easy Instant Pot Basmati Rice
• Instant Pot Yellow Rice

Yield: 4 Servings

Quick & Easy Instant Pot Rice-a-Roni

Yes, you can cook a box of Rice-a-Roni in the Instant Pot with these simple instructions.

Prep Time
5 minutes

Cook Time
5 minutes

Additional Time
10 minutes

Total Time
20 minutes

Ingredients

• 6.9-oz or 6.8-oz box Rice-a-Roni (such as chicken or beef)
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 1/2 cups water

Instructions

1. Add butter to the insert pot of an Instant Pot. Use the Sauté function to melt the butter.
2. Add the dry Rice-a-Roni to the butter and sauté until it starts to turn light golden-brown.
3. Turn off the Sauté function. Add water and the seasoning mix, stirring to combine.
4. Close the lid and set the vent to the sealed position. Select a 5 minute cook time at high pressure using Manual/Pressure Cook.
5. Once the cook time is complete, perform a quick pressure release.
6. After the pressure has released and the valve has dropped, carefully remove the lid. Fluff or stir the rice, then serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:

Calories: 91
Total Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 8mg
Sodium: 208mg
Carbohydrates: 11g
Protein: 1g

Nutrition information is estimated and not guaranteed for accuracy.